2027 Leadership Election

Smart, Strategic, Experienced
When most people hear Ellis Gardner’s slogan, “Go With a Pro!” they think it refers to his NFL football career. Actually, it reflects Ellis’ commitment to excellence in each stage of life.

Ellis is a life-long learner graduating Cum Laude from Chattanooga’s McCallie School and Cum Laude from Georgia Institute of Technology (BS Electrical Engineering). While at Georgia Tech, Ellis excelled in two NCAA sports (Football/Wrestling) followed by a 3-year career in the NFL with Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Oilers and Indianapolis Colts. From 1985 through 1996 Ellis worked as an engineer/technical sales rep visiting every major city in the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest and Southwest. In the mid-nineties with two small children at home, Ellis got off the road and earned his professional real estate licenses (TN & GA) with Crye-Leike Realtors, RE/MAX and with Keller Williams. Since 2019 Ellis was recruited to teach Real Estate pre-licensing night-school while selling homes during the day.

Ellis’ Goals for RRC are simple: Retain current members and recruit new ones. The Key is How: 
1)    Re-establish the culture of holding meaningful educational and networking events.
2)    Bring the wealth of RRC education out to each major city not just the capitals.
3)    Cross-pollinate neighboring networks with regional events.

2008 - 2023 CRS/RRC Chattanooga, TN Rep
2014 CRS TN Chapter Secretary
2015 CRS TN Chapter Treasurer
2016 CRS TN Finance Director (transition year)
2017 CRS Tennessee State President
Award: RRC Ambassador Top Recruiting 2018
2018 RRC Regional VP Region 9
2019 RRC Regional VP Region 9
2020 RRC Regional VP Region 4
2021 RRC Regional VP Committee Chair
2024-2025 RRC Board of Directors (At-Large)

2021-2022 Director Greater Chattanooga REALTORS®
2021 Tennessee REALTORS® statewide YPN Chair
2024-2025 Tennessee REALTORS® Director
2024-2025 NAR Leading-Edge Advisory Board
2025 NAR Director
2025 Greater Chattanooga REALTORS® President

CRS: Certified Residential Specialist
At Home With Diversity®
ABR, SRS, SRES, GRI, E-Pro, PSA, GREEN
C2EX –Commitment to Excellence Ambassador 2021-2026

RRC Certifications:
Smart Home 
Luxury Home
RE Investing
Inside Sales
Divorce Specialist
Digital Marketing
Crypto, Blockchain 
Residential Listing
Probate Specialist
Artificial Intelligence

RRC Certificates:
Buyers’ Agent 
Virtual Agent
Negotiations

For more than 30 years, Fran Bixler has served as a trusted REALTOR®, respected community leader, and an advocate for property rights, with roots in Naperville and the surrounding suburbs. She has built a referral-based business by guiding clients through major life transitions. For Fran, it has always been about real relationships, real leadership, and real resolutions.

Among the credentials Fran has earned, the CRS is the one she treasures most. It launched her current leadership path. Fran stepped into RRC leadership as the 2021 Finance Leader, followed by two years as Illinois State President—partnering with local associations, expanding into new areas, and improving member experience, often onboarding members to help them understand their benefits. Her efforts were recognized nationally and locally when she was awarded the 2023 National State Leader of the Year and 2023 Illinois CRS of the Year.

Between her leadership roles, Fran has earned every RRC certification. She is also the co-author of the Divorce Specialist Certification, contributing directly to RRC’s educational footprint. She was the 2024 RVP for Region 6; now begins her second year as Region 1 RVP, continuing her commitment to a member-first approach. If it matters to members, it matters to Fran.

She is a dedicated member of Mainstreet Organization of REALTORS®, one of the country’s larger local associations. Its size, comparable to RRC, has given her insight into balancing member needs with budgeting and resources. She remains committed to Professional Standards, Government Affairs, and Professional Development throughout the REALTOR® organizations.

Fran is invested in local leadership, with nearly a decade as an HOA President, served on her Planning & Zoning Commission, spoken before city/county councils, and participates in Safe Suburbs, a bipartisan PAC supporting community safety candidates. Her continued leadership in her communities makes her a trusted voice.

On a personal note, Fran was her mother’s primary caregiver for over 10 years—while raising her two daughters and working as a REALTOR®. That experience grounded her values in treating others with dignity, patience, and grace. Her favorite hobbies are unmistakably her: strong coffee, great spreadsheets, and anything involving RRC education.

For more than two decades, I’ve built my real estate career—and my service to our Realtor community—around a simple truth: leadership starts with listening. Our greatest strength has always been the dedication of our members who work every day to raise the bar for our industry. Calling ourselves the “Gold Standard” only matters if we live it, support one another, and stay committed to excellence. Earning my CRS designation was one of the most meaningful moments in my career, and the relationships I’ve built with people who share that vision continue to shape me.

Within RRC, I’ve had the honor of serving as State President, participating in a President’s Advisory Group that examined our organization from top to bottom, and now serving as RVP for Region 6. Outside of RRC, I’ve served on the Board of Directors for the Minneapolis Area Realtors and had the privilege of being President in 2023. No matter the role, my goal has always been the same: to make a positive difference for the people I serve.

My leadership style is rooted in clarity, collaboration, and steady forward momentum. I believe great ideas rise when people feel truly heard, and great results happen when we move together. Our organization thrives when we bring out the best in each other and create space for new leaders to step forward.

What excites me most about the future is the opportunity in front of us. This is our moment to reimagine member value, anticipate where our industry is heading, and lead with vision and purpose. Staying the “Gold Standard” means taking an honest look at what we do well and what we can do better—and committing to both.

Giving back also means a lot to me. For 40 years, my family has hosted our Toys for Tots party, now topping 15,000 donated toys.

If you have questions or want to connect, call, text, or email me anytime.

I’d be honored to have your vote for the RRC Board of Directors 2027.